Komodo Dragon vs. Water Buffalo

This is the amazing moment a Komodo dragon attacks and envenoms a water buffalo.

Komodo dragons are incredible animals. Growing up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length and weighing up to approximately 150 lb (70 kg), they are the largest species of lizard.

When Westerners first encountered them in 1910 and brought preserved and live specimens back from expeditions in the 1920s, they inspired the movie King Kong.

Komodo dragons would certainly fit in with the other giant beasts on King Kong’s Skull Island, especially with their hunting methods.

For decades, scientists assumed Komodo dragons subdued their prey with filthy, bacteria-laden saliva. However, since 2005, scientists have unraveled many clues that suggest Komodo dragons – as well as other monitor lizards – possess venom glands.

Today, there is still debate over the role the venom glands play, but if you watch this video, you will see further evidence to support the claim that Komodo dragons use their venom to take down prey.

In the video above, a Komodo dragon bites an unsuspecting water buffalo and waits for it to succumb to the venom’s ill effects. Over time, the water buffalo weakens until the Komodo dragon can overpower it and feed…

It is possible that the water buffalo did not succumb solely to the venom. Water buffalo are not native to the islands where Komodo dragons live, and when bitten, they instinctively run into the water, just as the water buffalo in the video does. When they do, their wounds will often become infected, not from the Komodo dragon’s saliva, but from the warm, feces-laden water.